Oakton Mourns the Loss of Founding Chairman Ray Hartstein

Des Plaines, IL (September 8, 2014) – The Oakton community lost a key piece of its history with the passing of founding Board Chairman Ray Hartstein, 96, on September 7, 2014. Hartstein led the drive to establish the College, guiding it from its inception in 1969 through its move to the Des Plaines campus in 1980, and the opening of the Skokie campus – which now bears his name.

“If it hadn’t been for Ray,” notes President Margaret B. Lee, Ph.D., “I’m not sure that Oakton would have happened.”

A tireless supporter of the College, Hartstein served on the Board of Trustees for 35 years – becoming an Emeritus member in 2002. A mentor to countless Trustees, his dedication to quality education inspired the Ray Hartstein Award for Outstanding Professional Excellence in Teaching, which annually recognizes one full-time and one-part time Oakton faculty member.

A passionate advocate of higher learning, Hartstein was committed to helping students achieve and succeed. The Ray Hartstein-Brunswick Educational Excellence Scholarship provides support for students with an Oakton degree who transfer to continue their education at a four-year college or university. In 1992, the Illinois Community College Association named its achievement award after him and designated him the first recipient.

"Ray was truly the Father of Oakton," says Lee. "He had the most incredible energy. He didn't want to slow down, even at the finish. He was always on the go. He read anything there was to study about community colleges especially and greater education in general."

In accordance with the family’s wishes, donations honoring Hartstein’s many years of service to Oakton will support the Ray and Rhea Hartstein Family "Books for Knowledge" Scholarship Fund at the Oakton Educational Foundation, 1600 East Golf Road, Room 1505, Des Plaines, IL 60016. For more information about the Fund, call 847.635.1893.